This document summarizes and discusses several research methods used in psychology: case studies, surveys, and naturalistic observation. It notes that case studies examine individuals in depth but results may not generalize, while surveys can gather data from many people but are impacted by question wording and require representative samples. Naturalistic observation involves watching and recording behavior in natural environments. It also defines correlation as a measure of how two factors vary together, distinguishing between positive and negative correlations, and noting correlation suggests prediction but not causation.

1. Chapter 1 Research: Case Study, Surveys, and Naturalistic Observation

2. Case Study Examines one individual in great depth Example: study of people who have lost specific abilities after damage to certain parts of the brain Can be misleading because individuals involved in case studies may be atypical

3. Survey Looks at many cases in less depth, asking people to report their behaviors or opinions Wording of questions can greatly impact the results of a survey Should the government be able to censor television programs? Should violence be allowed to appear on children’s television programs? Sampling- for an accurate picture, you need a representative sample (a small group that accurately reflects a larger population) Random sample- a sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion

4. Survey- continued Problems with surveys Volunteer bias- people who volunteer have different ideas than those who would not volunteer People are often not honest They may answer in a way to please the interviewer

5. Naturalistic Observation A way to describe behavior by watching, recording, and analyzing it in a natural environment

6. Correlation A measure of the extent to which two factors vary together and thus of how well either factor predicts the other Positive correlation- shows a direct correlation, meaning that two things increase together or decrease together As children get taller, they also weigh more Negative correlation- shows an inverse relationship, as one factor increases, the other decreases Low self esteem equals higher depression Correlation can help us predict but does not show causation Does low esteem CAUSE depression?